Utility tubs



y 21, 1963 B. E. MUSTEE 3,384,230

UTILITY TUBS Sriginal Filed Aug. 24, 1964 5 Sheerls-Sheet l INVENTOR.(5/ BEENAED E. Musree 4 BYM jQ #41 I M ATTOENEvfE.

B. E. MUSTEE UTILITY TUBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Jriginal Filed Aug. 24, 1964INVENTOR. BEENAED E. MusTEE gyzii. .221 46 2 i ATTOQNEYS.

B. E. MUSTEE UTILITY TUBS May 21, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original FiledAug. 24, 1964 y 1968 B. E. MUSTEE 3,384,230

UTILITY TUBS Original Filed Aug. 24, l964 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 57 v, 26 757 l H II M I I THE .E

INVENTOR. BEEN/420 E. Musree ATTORNEYS B- E. MUSTEE UTILITY TUBS May 21,1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 24, 1964 INVENTOR BERNARD E.Musree BY W I M ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 24, 1967, Ser. No. 618,500

15 ciaimsrci. 206-65) ABSTRACT on T e nIscLosUnE -An assembly of one ormore laundry tubs and a plurality of supporting legs arranged forshipment with the legs for a tub extending across the undersurface ofits bottom wall and being held in place adjacent structure projectingfrom the bottom wall. A plurality of tubs are nested one within anotherand each nested tub maybe maintained out of contact with the bottoms ofadjacent tubs. 1

Cross-reference to related application This application is a division ofmy copending application, Ser. No. 391,529, filed Aug. 24, 1964, andentitled, Utility Tubs,'now Patent No. 3,333,282.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to utilitytub constructions, and more specifically to a new molded plastic utilitytub and to an arrangement of a plurality of such tubs for packaging andshipping purposes.

A typical single laundry tub is supported by a plurality of legs when inuse. In one conventional assembly, the legs are attached to a separatelyfabricated metal base which engages the bottom wall of the tub. Inanother known arrangement, the legs have been attached to a base whichis bonded to the tub.

A practical problem in the manufacture of laundry tubs of the typedescribed has been to provide a construction which can be economicallypacked and shipped. In order to reduce shipping costs, it has beenconventional to nest several tubs, one within another in a singlecarton. The supporting legs and/or metal bases were packed separately,since there was no practical way of including the structure in the tubcarton Without scratching and damaging the tubs. When the tubs were soldin a store, the seller would unpack the separate cartons and usuallyplace the legs and base within each tub. This practice also resulted inscratching and marring of the tubs.

Summary of the invention The new tub which forms a part of the presentinvention is a relatively inexpensive molded construction which has aback drain and is formed so that it can be firmly supported by legswithout the need of bolts, nuts, adhesives, or other fastening means.l/iore particularly, the tub includes an integrally molded base havingleg pockets adapted to receive the upper ends of supporting legs. Theformation of the leg pockets is such that the ends of metal legs can besimply inserted and locked in place to provide a rigid and sturdy tubassembly.

As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, the new tubconstruction results in an important reduction in packaging and shippingcosts. The new construction is such that the legs can be convenientlypackaged within the integrally molded base against the bottom of the tuband four or more tubs nested in a single carton. Thus, the separatecarton heretofore used for the bases and legs is eliminated. The tubscan be unpacked from the carton as-needed and handled by the purchaserwith the ice legs still held in place. This eliminates damage to the tubduring both shipment and when the tub is sold.

Additional features and a fuller understanding of the invention will behad from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings.

Description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the preferredtub construction comprising one aspect of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view or the tub construction shown inFIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the tub construction shown in FIG. 1;f

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 ofFIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFIG. 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and shows the tub packed withcooperating legs for shipment;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a plurality of tub andleg assemblies packed for shipment; and

FIGURE 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a double tubassembly.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-6 in particular, thepreferred tub construction of the invention is indicated by referencenumeral 20. As generally described above, the tube 29 is preferably madeof a suitable injection moldable plastic such as polyproylene or thelike, although, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto any particular material or, in its broader aspects, to an injectionmolded construction. However, such a construction is advantageous, sincethe tub can be molded with relatively thin walls on the order ofone-eighth of an inch in thickness while still retaining the necessarystrength and rigidity. In addition to affording a highstrength-to-weight ratio which makes it possible to obtain considerablesavings in both weight and cost of materials, the preferred tub can bemolded automatically, thereby providing a further savings in laborcosts.

The illustrated tub 24) includes side walls 21-24 and a bottom wall 25.A rim 26 is formed around the top edges of the walls 21-23 and anintegral ledge 27 extends beyond the wall which may be termed a rearwall for purposes of description. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4, ingof the ledge. Spaced apart mold rings 39 also are 28 which includescorner flanges 29 that prevent dog-earing of the ledge. Spaced apartmold rings 3t) also are formed on the underside of the ledge for thepurpose of mounting the faucets (not shown). During installation, holesare drilled through the ledge 27 into the rings 30 and the tapped endsof the faucets are inserted through the holes. The faucets are securedto the ledge by placing washers over the tapped ends in engagement withthe rings 30 are threading nuts on the tapped ends against the washers.

The underside of the rim 26 is molded with spaced ribs each of which hasa generally U-shaped slot 36 (FIG. 5). These rib formations 35 formclips by which a reinforcing rod 37 can be secured to the rim 26 afterthe tub has been molded. To this end, the slots 36 are preferably formedto have a width slightly less than the diameter of the rod 37. Theplastic will deform to permit insertion of the rod into the slots andyet will tightly grip around the rod so that it is immovable, therebyaifording a sturdy and rigid assembly. As shown, the rod 37 is U-shapedand extends around the walls 20-23; however, it should be pointed outthat it is not necessary for the legs of the rod to be coextensive withthe walls 22 and 23.

A drain 40 formed with drain holes 41 is molded in bottom wall 25. Thedrain 40 is located on the centerline of the tub adjacent the rear wall24. With this socalled back drain construction, an overflow tubeinserted into the drain will be in an out-of-the-way location and willnot interfere with convenient overhang of hoses which may extend from anassociated washing machine to the overflow tube. The drain is alsomolded with external threads 42 whereby the drain can be connected tothe usual drain casting (not shown) without using the conventional drainplugs and associated structure.

In order to permit a back drain to be used, the tub 20 is molded with anintegral base which is formed by a flange 45 that projects from thebottom wall 25. As shown, the base flange 25 extends below the walls21-23 and terminates below the wall 24, thereby providing ready accessto the drain 40. The four corners of the base flange 45 are formed withleg pockets 46. The leg pockets 46 are generally triangular in bottomplan view (FIG. 4) and are each defined by wall 47 that extendsdiagonally across the corner of the base flange. Preferably, the ends ofeach wall 47 extend a short distance parallel to the flange 45 so as toform a pair of slots 48 which are at right angles to each other and openinto the pocket 46 defined by the base flange and the wall 47.

The underside of the bottom wall 25 is molded with ribs 50 which preventupwardly bowing of the bottom wall, as would result in improper drainagefrom the tub 20. The ribs 50 include spaced, parallel members 51 whichextend from one corner of the base flange 46 diagonally across thebottom wall of the tub to the opposite corner of the base flange. Themembers 51 project below the bottom wall of the tub and define a packingspace 52 for the tub legs.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which illustrate the convenientmanner in which tubs constructed according to this invention can bepackaged for shipment. The four supporting legs 55 for each tub, whichmay be of generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, are nestedone within another and are placed in the space 52 between the members51. A cardboard strip 56 or the like may be placed over the legs and thelegs held between the members 51 by tape 57. Cardboard Us 58 also arepreferably inserted into each leg pocket 46 so as to project a shortdistance outwardly of the base flange 45 and walls 47.

Thus assembled, a plurality of the tubs 20 may be nested and packagedwith the legs in a single carton. As most clearly shown in FIG. 8, theprojecting cardboard Us 58 abut the inner surfaces of the next lower tubto prevent the base flange 45 of the upper tub from engaging andscratching the lower one. When being sold, each tub assembly can beunpacked and conveniently handled by the user with the legs 55 stillheld in place between the members 51.

The tub 20 and legs 55 are simply assembled during installation byremoving the legs from below the tub and inserting each leg into apocket 46. The legs are locked in the pockets 46 by engaging the sidesof the legs in the slots 48. In this manner a rigid tub and leg assemblyis effected without using any separate fastener elements. Since the baseflange 45, including the pockets 46, is an integral part of the tub,there is no problem of preventing tub rotation and rocking, as has beenencountered with conventional rear drain constructions.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the preferred maner of connecting two of the tubs20 to form a double tub assembly and of mounting four legs 55 tocomplete the tub assembly. As shown in FIG. 9, the ledge portion 27 ofeach tub is partially cut off so the remaining shelf portions can bebrought into edge abutment. A pair of connecting strips 72 and 73 ofmetal or the like are provided at the front and at the back of theabutting tubs for connecting the tubs along the adjoining portions ofthe base flanges 45. Each pair of connecting strips is arranged so thatan 4 outwardly bent end portion 72a of the strip 72 overlies an endportion of the strip 73 and so that the overlapping end portions bridgethe space between the tubs. The pairs of strips are secured to the tubsby bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown) which extend throughthe base flanges 45. Thus secured, the strips 72 and 73 serve as aneffective means for rigidly connecting the tubs 20 in a manner whichprevents relative movement. In order to facilitate packing, the lengthsof the strips 72 and 73 are such that the strips can be placed Withinthe confines of the single carton for the tubs. This can be accomplishedfor example, by placing the strips diagonally in the carton.

As described above, the legs 55 are of V-shaped crosssectionalconfiguration and have upper ends adapted to fit into the pockets 46with the sides of the legs being received in the slots 48. Because ofthis construction, each leg can be inserted easily into one of thepockets 46 at the perimeter of the tub assembly and the sides of thelegs forced into the slots, whereby the legs are securely locked intheir assembled position.

Many other modifications and variations of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoingdetailed disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within thescope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwisethan as specifically shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly of nested tubs, each of said tubs including side wallsand a bottom wall, means for packing tubsupporting legs on the undersideof each tub, said means comprising at least two spaced members extendingbelow said tub bottom walls, and sets of legs adapted to support saidtubs when in use, each set of legs extending across the undersurface ofa bottom wall of a tub and being held in place between said members.

2. In combination:

(a) a plurality of molded plastic tubs nested one within another,

(b) each of said tubs including side walls, a bottom wall, leg-securingstructure depending from said bottom wall near the corners of said tub,said structure having openings for receiving the ends of tub-supportinglegs when the tub is used, and spaced, diagonally extending membersmolded on the undersurface of said bottom wall, said members cooperatingto define means for packing tub-supporting legs,

(c) and a plurality of tub-supporting legs held against the undersurfaceof the bottom wall of each tub,

(d) said legs being disposed between said members and exlgendingdiagonally across the undersurfaces of said tu s.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said members on eachtub extend from one corner of the tub to the opposite corner.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 including means engaged betweensaid leg-securing structure of each tub and the bottom wall of the nextlower tub for maintaining the bottoms of said tubs out of contact withone another.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means compriseselements inserted in the openings of said leg-securing structure.

6. An assembly of nested tubs, each of said tubs including side walls, abottom wall, and leg-securing structure extending from said bottom wall;a plurality of tub-supporting legs held against the undersurface of thebottom wall of each of said tubs; and means extending from theleg-securing structure of said tubs and maintaining the bottom of eachtub out of contact with the next lower tub.

7. An assembly of a laundry tub and a plurality of individual supportinglegs arranged with said tub for shipment, said tub including side wallsand a bottom wall, and means for packing said legs on the underside ofsaid tub, said means comprising at least two spaced members extendingbelow said bottom Wall, said legs extending across the undersurface ofsaid bottom wall and being held in place between said members.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said members are paralleland extend diagonally on said bottom wall.

9. An assembly of a laundry tub and a plurality of individual supportinglegs arranged with said tub for shipment, said tub including side walls,a bottom Wall and at least two spaced members projecting from theundersurface of said bottom Wall, said legs being disposed between saidmembers and extending diagonally across said bottom wall.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said members extenddiagonally across the undersurface of said bottom wall substantiallyfrom one corner of said tub to the opposite corner.

11. An assembly of nested tubs, each of said tubs including side walls,a bottom wall and structure depending from said bottom wall to providemeans for packing tubsupporting legs, said structure of each tubincluding spaced rib members extending diagonally on the undersurfacesof said bottom walls, and sets of legs adapted to support said tubs whenin use, each set of legs extending diagonally across the undersurface ofa bottom wall of a tub and being held in place between said rib members.

12. An assembly of nested tubs as claimed in claim 11 wherein said ribmembers of each tub extend diagonally across the undersurface of thebottom wall substantially from one corner of the tub to the oppositecorner.

13. In combination, a molded plastic tub having a bottom wall, sidewalls, and means located on the underside of said bottom wall forpacking tub-supporting legs in position for shipment, said meanscomprising at least one member integral with said bottom wall andprojecting therebelow, said member extending in a diagonal direction onsaid bottom wall; and a plurality of tub-supporting legs arranged withsaid tub for shipment, said legs extending diagonally across theundersurface of said bottom wall in a direction parallel to said memberand being held in place adjacent to said member.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein said legs are nestedone within another.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein said member extendssubstantially from one corner of said tub to a diagonally oppositecorner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,830 9/1936 Hunker 220 973,220,366 11/1965 Thompson 108--33 FOREIGN PATENTS 224,218 3/1958Australia.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. \ttesting Officer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,384 ,230 May 21 1968 Bernard E.Mustee It is certified that error appears in the above identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 30, "polyproylene" should read polypropylene line 48,cancel "ing" of the ledge. Spaced apart mold rings 30 also are" andinsert the underside of the ledge 27 is provided with bracing Column 3,line 66, "maner" should read manner Signed and sealed this 7th day ofOctober 1969.

Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

